Provided is an automatic analyzer in which a linear movement unit and a rotational movement unit that access to a same location can be arranged in a same plane. The automatic analyzer includes a linear movement unit configured to access to an access point by a linear movement, a rotational movement unit configured to access to the access point by a rotational movement, and a control unit configured to control an operation of the linear movement unit and the rotational movement unit so that the linear movement unit and the rotational movement unit do not interfere with each other.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an automatic pipetting system for transferring liquid from dispensing vessels into at least one receiving vessel. In one example embodiment, the system includes a movable pipettor moveable along an x-direction. The pipettor including an arm including two beams and a base structure, and at least one pipetting module. The base structure is movable in the x-direction, and is coupled to the two beams. The two beams oriented parallel to one another and project horizontally in the y-direction. The at least one pipetting module is moveable along each of the two beams in a y-direction and includes at least one hollow needle lowerable in to the dispensing vessels and the receiving vessels. Wherein the at least one pipetting modules move independently past one another on mutually facing longitudinal sides of said beams.

Automated liquid handling system for processing a plurality of samples in at least one microscope sample carrier, wherein the microscope sample carrier comprises a plurality of sample deposition wells, wherein each sample deposition well is defined on its lateral sides by one or more lateral walls and on its bottom side by a sample deposition surface, the automated liquid handling system comprising: a centrifuge adapted to centrifuge the microscope sample carrier; an automated transportation device adapted to transfer the plurality of samples and/or a plurality of liquids into and/or out of each of the plurality of sample deposition wells of the microscope sample carrier, and adapted for transporting the microscope sample carrier across the automated liquid handling system, wherein the automated transportation device is configured to couple with a coupling section of the microscope sample carrier; one or more storage containers for receiving and/or storing the plurality of samples and/or the plurality of liquids.

Methods and systems configured to automatically calibrate a pipette to a reference standard. The system comprising: a robotic arm, a pressing-device, configured to firmly hold a pipette and to press a plunger-button of the pipette, a rotating-device configured to rotate/dial a wheel-button of the pipette, at least one liquid source, at least one scaling element, at least one input-device configured to receive real-time input-data, and at least one processor, in communication with the input-device configured to analyze the input-data and accordingly to: control the motion of the robotic arm, control the rotating-device, control the pressing-device, evaluate calibration of the pipette, in reference to a chosen standard, and output a calibration report for the pipette.

A sampler device for gas chromatography includes a first unit that supports and moves a second, single instrument holding unit carrying at least two instruments with respective control plungers for taking/inserting samples to be analyzed, and a third unit that actuates the plungers simultaneously. The first unit is mounted on a base and moves the second and third units along horizontal and vertical directions and between a first and a second station, at least one of which is defined beyond the plan encumbrance of the base. A control unit automatically controls the movement of the first unit between the first station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously take the samples to be analyzed by the two instruments, and the second station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously insert the previously taken samples within two distinct injectors of a gas chromatograph.

A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

A sample analyzer, comprising a sample storage region, a sample-drawing channel, and a transport mechanism; the sample storage region being provided with a plurality of storage channels; the sample-drawing channel is provided with a sample-drawing position; the transport mechanism comprises an engagement slot, an actuation mechanism and a first moving mechanism; the engagement slot and the actuation mechanism are fixed on the first moving mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprises an actuator and a second moving mechanism, the actuator is drivable by at least one of the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism to realize the movement of the sample holder between the storage channels and the engagement slot; during sample drawing, the first moving mechanism drives the engagement slot to move to the sample-drawing channel, the actuation mechanism enables samples to pass through the sample-drawing position and to make a stop for sample drawing.

The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a multi-channel pipettor, comprising: creating an access plan having a plurality of transfer blocks, each comprising a source access and a destination access, wherein the creating includes: reading of position lists which contain the positions of all source and destination containers and assigning source containers to destination containers; performing a transfer analysis in which the source or destination accesses and the movements of the pipetting head and/or the container holders are determined by forming the difference between the current channel position and the source position or the destination position on the two-dimensional plane; and performing a transfer optimization, whereby the source or destination accesses and the movements of the pipetting head respectively required for the source or destination accesses are sorted into the transfer blocks; and operating the multi-channel pipettor on the basis of the created access plan.

A digital dispense system and method for analyzing samples. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.